First lady: Gay football player is 'inspiration'

By The Associated Press

Feb. 10, 2014

Darron Cummings

Caption

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2013, file photo, Missouri's Michael Sam (52) sings the school song after Missouri defeated Indiana in an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind. The All-American athlete says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

WASHINGTON – Michelle Obama says a gay University of Missouri football player is "an inspiration to all of us."

The first lady took to Twitter on Monday to comment on Michael Sam, the all-American college player who announced Sunday that he is gay. Mrs. Obama says she "couldn't be prouder" of Sam's courage, both on and off the field.

The tweet was signed "-mo," which is how the White House marks messages personally sent by the first lady.

Sam could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL. He's scheduled to participate in the league's weeklong scouting camp, where potential draftees are evaluated, later this month in Indianapolis. He is currently projected to be a mid-round draft pick in May.

Vice President Joe Biden sent a similar message on Twitter to Sam and his colleagues and coaches at Missouri. "Your courage is an inspiration to all of us," Biden said. The message was signed "-VP," which designates that the vice president personally sent it.